Gas reservoir



P.. S. GRAVER GAS RESERVOIR May 24, 1949.

Filed Dec. 2, 1944 May 24,1 1949. P. `s. GRAVER 2,471,270

GAS RESERVOIR P. S. GRAVER GAS RESERVOIR May 24, 1949.

Filed Dec. 2, 1944 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May Z4, 1949 GAS RESERVOIR Philip S. Graver, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Graver Tank & Mfg. Co., Inc., 'East Chicago, Ind., a

corporation of Delaware Application December 2, 1944, Serial No. 566,349

3 Claims.

The invention relates generally to tanks and has reference more particularly to a large diameter .reservoir of the breather type having an expansion roof capable of varying the volume of the vapor space within the reservoir whereby vapors or gases can be stored in large quantities atlow pressures.

`An object of the invention is to provide a large diameter gas or vapor reservoir having a movable roof for varying the volume of the storage chamber and which is primarily designed for connection with a number of cone-roofed tanks storing volatile products such as vgasoline to permit breathing of said storage tanks.

Another object is to provide a gas reservoir such as described having an expansion roof employing pivoted links for connecting the expansion roof with the shell and which links operate in a manner to stabilize the roof in its up and down movement while maintaining the roof in a substantially horizontal plane, this latter result being effected by the arrangement of the pivoted links which impart slight rotation to the roof simultaneously with the vertical movements thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide stabilizing means for an expansion roof tank wherein pivoted links for connecting the movable roof with the tank are employed in combination with guiding means located eXteriorly of the tank for imparting rotation to the roof simultaneously with the vertical movements thereof, whereby the roof is maintained in a Substantially horizontal plane under all conditions.

Another object is to provide a gas reservoir consisting of `a stationary shell and a movable expansion roof having sealing relation therewith, and wherein the shell comprises a` circular launder supported by the earth in `a manner whereby the earth forms the bottom of the gas reservoir and also maintains the circular contour of the launder, thus eliminating the more intricate and expensive reinforcing structure therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide agas reservoir of large diameter for economically storing gases or vapors at relatively low pressures, and which is erected in combination with the earth in a man-ner to adequately support the launder from within theA shell, thereby eliminating the circular girders and similar reinforcing structure which large diameter tanks ordinarily require.

With these and various other objects in view, the. invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specication, drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and `wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is a sectional view showing the gas reservoir of the invention in deflated position with vthe expansion roof supported directly by the earth; y

Figure 2 is a sectional view showing a modied form of the invention wherein internal structure is provided for supporting the roof in deflated position; i

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the construction of the launder and the arrangement of the pivoted -links for stabilizing the roof;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 4 4 of Figure 3 showing the pivotal connection of a link with the roof;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken substantially alongline 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an elevational View taken substantially along line 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along'line 1 1 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a sectional View showing another modied form coming within the invention where. in pivotedlinks and guiding means comprise the stabilizing structure;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the reservoir shown in Figure 8 illustrating detail the stabilizing means; and

Figure 10 is an elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 9.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the gas or vapor reservoir of the invention is erected using the earth as the bottom of the reservoir and which also forms the major supportior the circular launder forming the shell of the reservoir. The gas space or chamber is thus formed by the expansion roof comprising the top wall, the earth which serves as the bottom of the reservoir, and the circular launder providing the side walls. A large diameter tank such as herein contemplated would ordinarily require strengthening and reinforcing structure for the side walls, especially when the same comprises the walls of a launder, and thus support a ycolumn of liquid. In accordance with the invention the circular launder of the present reservoir -is adequately supported on the inside by the earth, thereby relieving the shell walls of the stresses incidental to the support of a column of 'liquid and eliminating circular girders and similar `reinforcing structure which would otherwise be required.

In Figure l the bottom of the `reservoir is formed by the earth lill Ill and which is outlined by a circular trough or recess II formed by the sloping bottom wall I2 and the vertical wall I3. The circular shell of the reservoir has contact with and is partly supported by said vertical wall I3, said shell comprising the launder formed by the inner wall lli, the outer wall I5, and the bottom wall l5. At the upper end of the inside wall I4 the same is reinforced by the circular angle member I'I, Figure 3, suitably welded thereto, the outer wall I5 likewise being strengthened and reinforced by the angle member IS and the vertical plates IS, located in spaced relation around the outer periphery of the launder. A plurality of rafters extend radially of the reservoir, being supported at their inner ends by the earth iill I0 and having connection at 2l with a gusset plate 22, which plate is in turn suitably secured by welding to the inside wall Ill of the launder. A number of the gusset plates are joined by the channel members 23 which extend as chords around the periphery of the reservoir.

The expansion roof, indicated in its entirety by numeral 24, is associated with the shell of the reservoir so as to move vertically for varying the space for storing the gases or vapors, whereby said reservoir may be connected to a number of cone-roofed tanks containing a Volatile product such as gasoline to permit breathing of said tanks. Said movable roof includes the roof proper 25 of large diameter and which may be formed by welding together a plurality of plates in the well known manner. A girder 2B is suitably welded to the lroof 25 around its periphery and said girder adequately reinforces the periphery and maintains the circular contour of the roof during its vertical movements. The circular angle member 21 joins the dip ring 28 to the girder and accordingly said dip ring, girder and roof constitute a unit with the roof 25 resting directly on the earth fill I0 when in deflated position.

It will be observed that the dip ring 28 has location within the launder formed by the walls Iii and I5 and for sealing the roofwith respect to the shell the launder contains liquid such as water or oil. for almost the length of the dip ring 28 while maintaining sealing relation therewith. The length of the dip ring therefore determines the lift of the expansion roof and for the gas reservoir of this invention said lift will probably not exceed ten or twelve feet, which is surlicient for all practical purposes considering the large size of the gas reservoir which may have a diameter ranging from one hundred to two hundred and fifty feet. The weather hood 33 is attached to the outer edge of the roof girder and said weather hood has its lower edge supported against the outer wall I5 of the launder by means of rollers 3| carried by the members 32. In operation of the expansion roof the rollers 3| contact the vertical plates I9 to thus limit upward movement of the roof. The plates I3 therefore determine the full inflated position of said roof.

The vertical movements of the expansion roof are stabilized and the roof is maintained in a substantially horizontal plane during said movements by the links 33. Said links have pivotal connection at one end with the expansion Iroof and at the other end with the inside wall I4 of the launder. Figures 4 to '7 inclusive show details of the pivot connections. For attaching the The roof may move vertically of the shell links to the roof, the roof girder 26 is provided with depending plates 34, Figures 4 and 5, suitably spaced for receiving the journalling member 35. One of Said plates 3l! is reinforced by the angle plates 36 which are also secured to the plate girder 2S. The journalling member 35 is shown in section in Figure '7, the same having bifurcated ears 3l which receive the plate extension 33 secured to and projecting from the upper end of the link 33. The pivot pin lll connects the journalling member 35 with the plates 33 and by means of the bolt ISI the plate extension 38 and the link 33 are pivotally joined to the biiurcated ears 3l of said member. The construction forms a universal joint and accordingly each link may move in two planes at right angles to each other.

The links are also connected at their opposite ends by universal joints to the shell of the reser- Voir. The plate brackets ft2, reinforced by the gusset plate 53, are suitably welded to the inside wall I of the launder. Plates I are secured in spaced relation to each plate bracket for receiving the journalling member 45 held in place by the pin IIS. journalling member receive the plate extension 48 secured to and projecting from the lower end of the link 33. The pin @9 pivotally joins the plate extension to said bifurcated ears. The universal joints are required since the expansion roof has slight rotation simultaneously with its up and down movements. Lateral movement of the links produced by rotation of the roof is permitted by their pivotal connection with the bifurcated ears of the journalling member.

As shown in Figure 1, the earth lill III around the periphery of the expansion roof is removed to provide a space sufficient to accommodate the stabilizing arms and the supporting structure for the rafters. The gas or vapor is supplied to the reservoir by means of the supply line 5@ which may extend for some distance around the trough II. The vapor lines 5I connect therewith at intervals and said lines extend upwardly into the peripheral space under the expansion roof. When gases or vapors are admitted to the reservoir by said lines 5I the stabilizing arms 33 will come into action, causing slight rotation of the roof as the same moves upwardly. rIhis action will eiect an even rise of the roof throughout its extent of vertical movement and thus the roof is maintained in a substantially horizontal plane at all times.

In Figure 2 a modification is disclosed wherein the earth ll 60 forming the bottom of the reservoir is flat throughout its extent and where- 1n internal supporting structure is provided for supporting the roof in deflated position. In this modification the level of the bottom S0 is below that of the surrounding earth. At suitable intervals uprights 6I and 62 are provided, having connection with the rafters 63 to form the necessary internal supporting structure for the expansion roof.

In the modication shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 the gas reservoir is located on a level section of ground I6 and instead of excavating, as in Figures l and 2, a circular mound of earth 'II is formed, the saine outlining the bottom l2 of the gas reservoir and providing the vertical wall 13. The circular shell of the reservoir has contact with and is partly supported by said vertical wall 73. Said shell forms the launder for the expansion roof and includes the inner wall 14, the outer wall 15, and the bottom wall 1B. Around the upper edge of the inside wall 'I4 the launder The bifurcated ears M of said 'is reinforced by the circular angle "H, the outer wall 15 likewise being strengthened and reinforced by the angle member 18. A plurality of rafters or roof supporting members '6d extend lradially of the reservoir, being supported at their outer ends by the gusset plates 'li-l, which plates are in turn Isuitably secured as by welding to the inside ywall "I4 of the launder. Within the reser- `voir the rafters 810 are supported at intervals by the vertical posts 82 which rest on the earth 12 comprising the bottom of the reservoir.

The expansion roof 33 is associated with the lau-nder so as to move vertically for varying the `vapor -space for storing the gases or vapors. Said 'movable `roof 4includes the roof proper Sil which may be formed b y Welding together a plurality of plates in the well known manner. A girder B5 is suitably welded to the roof .84 around its periphery and the girder adequately reinforces periphery of the roof' and maintains the circular contour of the same during vertical movement. The .circular angle member 85 joins the dip ring 8'! to the girder and accordingly the dip ring, girder and roof comprise a unit which moves together, the roof resting directly .on the rafters -80 when in deflated position. In this delli-ated position it will also be observed that the tgirder 85 is supported partly by the angle members 18 and partly by the gusset plates 8l.

The dip ring 6'! has location within the launder formed "by the spaced vertical walls 7M and l5. iFor sealing the `roof with respect to the -launder the same contains a liquid such as water or oil and accordingly the expansion roof may move vertically of the launder for the full length of the dip ring while maintaining sealing relation. therewith. The rain shed skirt t8 is attached to the outer edge of the roof girder 85 and thus said rain shed skirt also forms a part of the roof, having movement therewith. At spaced intervals around the rain shed skirt the same is strengthened and reinforced by means of vertically extending members 853 suitably secured thereto. At these locations additional means are provided for adding rigidity to the rain shed skirt and for supporting the same from the roof. A radially extending roof member 90 projects beyond the girder 85 at spaced intervals around the circumference thereof and is suitably secured at its outer projecting end to a pair of angle members 9L The angle members extend downwardly and inwardly and connect as at 92 with the lower edge of the rain shed skirt, as clearly shown in Figure 9. In this manner the rain shed skirt is adequately strengthened and a secure connection is provided with the expansion roof.

The additional strengthening of the rain shed skirt is required since rollers 93 are carried thereby, having location at spaced intervals around the lower edge of the skirt. Each roller is journalled by a caster 961 rotatably carried by the built-up bracket structure 95 suitably secured as by welding to the lower edge of the rain shed skirt. As best shown in Figure 3 each roller has rolling contact with guiding means 96 in the form of guide rails fixed to the exterior wall 'i5 of the launder. It will be observed by reference to Figure 10 that each guide rail 96 is diagonally positioned on the outer wall of the launder so as to form an angle with the vertical. Accordingly, as the expansion roof moves vertically limited rotational movement will be imparted to the roof as a result of the rolling contact which the rollers 93 have with their guiding rails 96.

This limited rotation .of the expansion roof simultaneously with vertical movement thereof is desirable when stabilizing links 191 are .employed to connect the roof and the launder. This action of the stabilizing links tc maintain the roof in .a substantially horizontal .plane .during vertical movement `of the same, and in the :modi- `cation of Figure `8 this action is :additionally .controlled by the rolle-rs `and guide rails. 'The links are located .between the launder and ithe rain shed skirt v88, which .therefore provides a weatherhood for said links, and said links are positioned in spaced relation around .the periphery of .the roof. Each link Sl, as shown vin AFigures 9 and l0, has pivotal `connection yat one end with the expansion roof and at its other end with the outside wall 'I5 .of the launder. For attaching the links to the expansion roof a member e3 is provided. For attaching each link .to the launder bracket structure A9! `is suitably welded to the youtside wall v5. 'The details of .the pivot `connections are the same as shown and -described in connection with Figures 4 to Y inclusive :and reference is made to those ngures.

The .gas vor vapor vis supplied to the vreservoir of Figure 8 by means of the supply line |68 having the `vapor conduits .lill connecting therewith Vat intervals and which are located in .the 4earth `so as to :extend within lthe reservoir. When gases .or vapors are admitted to the reservoir by said conduits mi the stabilizing links or arms 81 will function to stabilize the vertical movement of the roof, causing the roof to move to a like extent at all points around the periphery of the same. Accordingly, the roof is maintained in a horizontal plane during upward and downward vertical movement. The action of the stabilizing arms 91 is to cause rotational movement of the roof simultaneously with vertical movement thereof. The action of the rollers 93 on the guide rails Sri also has the effect of causing the roof to rotate as it moves vertically, which supplements the action of the stabilizing arms. The combination of stabilizing arms and roller guiding means is satisfactory in all respects for large diameter tanks where the lift does not exceed 10 or 12 feet. The structure is economical, performs its intended function in a satisfactory manner, and requires a minimum of servicing expense.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending case Serial No, 512,907, filed December 4, 1943, entitled Gas reservoir, and now abandoned.

The invention is not to be limited to or by details of construction of the particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings as various other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a gas reservoir, a tank comprising upright circular walls spaced apart to provide a launder, a movable roof for said tank having a dip ring depending within the launder for sealing the roof with respect to the tank while permitting vertical movement of the roof to vary the vapor space within, a rain shed skirt depending from the periphery of the roof and encircling the launder, and means guiding the roof during said vertical movement thereof including diagonally extending guide rails fixed to the exterior wall of the launder in. spaced relation and at the same angle with respect to a horizontal plane as determined in one direction around the launder, and rollers carried by the lower end of the rain shed skirt and having contact with said guide rails respectively.

2. In a gas reservoir, a tank comprising upright circular walls spaced apart to provide a launder, a movable roof for said tank having a dip ring depending within the launder for sealing the roof with respect to the tank while permitting vertical movement of the roof to vary the vapor space within, a, rain shed skirt depending from the periphery of the roof and encircling the launder, guide rails xed to the exterior Wall of the launder in spaced relation and extending at the same angle with respect to a horizontal plane as determined in one direction around the launder, rollers adapted to contact said guide rails respectively, and means securing said rollers to the lower end of the rain shed skirt in spaced relation around the same, whereby said roof during vertical movement thereof is guided in a manner to cause limited rotation of the roof Simultaneously with said vertical movement.

3. In a gas reservoir, a tank including upright circular walls spaced apart to provide a launder, a movable roof for said tank having a dip ring depending within the launder for sealing the roof with respect to the tank While permitting vertical movement of the roof to vary the vapor space of said reservoir, pivoted links connecting the roof and the launder and being mounted at an angle of approximately 90 to a radius of the roof and all said links forming the same angle with respect to a horizontal plane as determined in one direction around the launder, said links having spaced location around the circumference of the launder and including universal joints at the pivotal connections with the roof and launder, respectively, whereby said roof has limited rotation simultaneously with the vertical movement thereof, a rain shed skirt depending from the periphery of the roof and encircling the launder, guide rails xed to the exterior wall of the launder in spaced relation around the same and extending at the same angle with respect to a horizontal plane as determined in one direction around the launder, and rollers carried by said rain shed skirt and having contact with the guide rails respectively for guiding said roof during vertical movement thereof.

PHILIP S. GRAVER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 405,701 Gadd June 25, 1889 1,851,158 Day Mar. 29L 1932 2,369,581 Larson Feb. 13, 1945 2,388,163 Laird Oct. 30, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 242 Great Britain, 1854 Jan. 31, 1854 

